UMECUnited Mining Exploration Commission: A group of friends playing JumpGate-- "a MMORPG that launched smoothly, breaks from fantasy character setting, emphasizes PvP, and is the first persistent world space simulator that nobody talks about." ~Scorch

Shrapnel Games announced today that Interstellar Trader 2, the strategy game touted as easy to learn and difficult to master, has begun shipping. For more information about Interstellar Trader 2 visit Shrapnel Games website at www.shrapnelgames.com.

Tim Brooks, President of Shrapnel Games, said, "We are happy to announce that Interstellar Trader 2 has begun shipping. We appreciate the fans patience in getting this exciting strategy game to them. Sales have been strong, but we should be able to ship all backordered product today."

Interstellar Trader 2 is the sequel to the original strategy simulation Interstellar Trader (available in the Thunder Pack Platinum four pack available from Shrapnel Games) where you become the owner of a start-up merchant business in outer space. You do this by traveling from planet to planet in the galaxy, buying and selling items in the various marketplaces. Just look at what this game has to offer:

- Improved, more realistic economic engine, with a randomly generated supply/demand system for the galaxy every time you play. Item prices change constantly during the game, so you have to keep on your toes. More items available for trade at each planet.
- Now 10 planets to visit, instead of 6! Each planet can even have individual modifiers to its economic condition.
- You can choose your ship, upgrade its gas tank, cargo capacity, and even add NEW unique weapons to it to fight the nasty Pirates. Ships also now have Durability ratings, and wear down over time.
- 4 Different pirate clans have different combat strengths and priorities as far as taking money or items from you if they win.
- Pick up passengers, collect fares, buy toll booths to the various planets and get paid for each visitor to the planet.
- Visit the prime minister of each planet for various benefits, purchase Pirate contracts for a temporary peace time.
- Purchase and build your own fleet of escort ships from 3 different choices to assist you in fighting the Pirates.
- NEW IMPROVED combat engine, with more realistic outcomes and more direct choices for the player to make, including self-destructing your ships to use as weapons, new Luck modifiers, using the Suicide Volley weapon on your ship for damage multipliers, and using your installed weapons against the Pirates.
- NEW Special encounters: Play games at the Galactic Casino to win credits, make deals with Rogue Merchants from other galaxies on rare items, and more random events than before!
_ And much more…

Interstellar Trader 2 retails for $19.95 and is available directly from Shrapnel Games' e-Store, the Gamers Front (www.gamersfront.com). The demo can be downloaded from the Shrapnel Games website at www.shrapnelgames.com.